System and method for unwinding tissue webs

US6719240B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. · US

Inventors

• John R. Hanson · Appleton, US
• Robert J. Seymour · Wellesley, US
• Mike Daniels · Neenah, US
• James Leo Baggot · Menasha, US
• Randy LeValley · Neenah, US
• Edward Marksman · Menasha, US
• Preston O'Connor · Appleton, US
• Kenneth Allen Pigsley · Greenville, US
• Douglas C. Thomas · Appleton, US
• Jeffrey H. Greiner · Valencia, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 13, 2001
• Grant date: Apr 13, 2004
• Expiry date: Jan 15, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65H2301/4185
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A system and process for unwinding rolls of material is disclosed. The system is particularly well suited for unwinding soft, high-bulk tissue webs. In one embodiment, the system includes the combination of a center unwind device and a surface unwind device to unwind the roll of material in a primary unwind location. Once the roll of material is partially unwound, the roll is then moved to a secondary unwind location while a new roll of material is moved into the primary unwind location. In this manner, multiple rolls of material can be continuously unwound without substantial downtime.